Title: Power
Artist: Kanye West featuring Dwele
Format: Single (from album Dark Twisted Fantasy)
Genre: Hip Hop
Origin: America
Language (s): English
Rating: 7/10

Kanye's back? Feels like yesterday for the VMAs. But oh no, I'm not here to make jokes about Mr Kanye. A public confessions like Power speak for Kanye as a his whole perspective. No doubt he regretted on what happened, but at the same time he speak about it widely.

Power give listeners the sense of uplifting and definitely make a forceful anthem to the underdogs. Honestly I know that Kanye is the man with huge ego, but still he is the man in the rap game. The lyrics speak openly about his struggle during "the alone period" and I must say his ego still attached but the moral grow bigger inside him.

African-chanting influence in the song make me realize how long journey has he been through, but aren't we all? Where we came from and how long is the journey is the only way to motivate ourselves and the song put my head back in life.

The song is aggressive, in-your-face and not typical booty-all-around song. He don't need sympathy or sorry from us. He just need our respect and that is what I am giving him. Needless to say, KANYE IS BACK. Just keep him away from AMAs though...

Meet you at number one...

Title: Meet Me Halfway
Artist: The Black Eyed Peas
Format: Single (from album The E.N.D)
Genre: Synthpop, New Wave, Electropop
Origin: America
Language (s): English
Rating: 9.5/10



The next single by BEP turned out to be a masterpiece. The least two singles probably invites to groove along but this time they urged us to just chill a bit with Meet Me Halfway. Fergie stated that she was inspired by Madonna during her Virgin Tour which she attended when she was young. But to me it's Madonna that need to be inspired by her in addition of her image and powerful vocals. After all, she's the Dutchess.

This song finally for people who would like to sing along without needing to be a rapper. Slow, mid-tempo arrangements taken me back in the 80's where Pet Shop Boys and Culture Club were at rage. The lyrics is about lost love and the line "I want you so badly" translated well for someone who taken back by losing their love ones.

They hit the sweet spot where my head nodding in agreement. One thing for sure, they got another number one hit this time around. This is the year of the Black Eyed Peas. Definitely the Energy Never Dies (The E.N.D, got it?)

The show must go on...

Title: Live Like We're Dying
Artist: Kris Allen
Format: Single
Genre: Pop rock
Origin: America
Language (s): English
Rating: 4.5/10




I'm officially not an American Idol fan since they began to slide downhill after the show ended. Plus most of their songs are recycled and truly unoriginal. This is exhibit A: Kris Allen do a cover of The Script's Live Like We're Dying. I think the idea of doing the cover would probably cheaper (rather than wrote a whole new song) and The Script were never huge in US, so nobody there can make a comparison. But not so fast, though. This side of the world know about The Script and as soon I heard the song, I knew it's a rip-off. Done badly I might add.

A few assumptions can be made on why Allen decided to cover this song. But I would not discuss that because most AI alumni tend to do this and it's never a good thing. I always hate recycled songs and need not I listed the rest of AI alumni who commit such foolish decision. You probably can name a few in your head now. Actually I got nothing to say about this song since Allen didn't really change anything. The style of singing is locked as The Script and he lose his own personality along the way. Perhaps he used to sing covers, very much like in American Idol. One thing for sure Allen, your star is fading and you need to get the shine back with better song selection and be original. No one like rip-off, especially when your version is the same as the original. Perhaps the runner-up Adam Lambert being gay doesn't hurt when that can get more exposure than you Allen.

Remember, the faster you go up, the faster you go down. Get a grip while you can boy.

Not the best...

Title: Meet Me On The Equinox
Artist: Death Cab For Cutie
Format: Single (from album The Twilight Saga: New Moon soundtrack)
Genre: Indie rock
Origin: America
Language (s): English
Rating: 5/10



The world premiere of the video just held a few hours ago and I was there to spoil myself with more footage from the new Twilight film. I actually spoiled myself months ago when I got the novel, but it wouldn't hurt to watch some of it. But I'm here to talk about the song. Indie band Death Cab For Cutie scored the exclusive rights to write lead single from the multi-million dollar franchise. It's definitely the boost they need to cross over mainstream business. On second thought, they could try harder to do that.

The band writing ability is simple and with the absent of the complexity of Bella and Edward's love drama really irks me. I began to read again the thick novel two days ago and the song didn't really fit into the plot or even the prologue. The lyrics can be taken from either Bella or Edward's perspective but I take it from Ed point of view. The rebellious Bella get reminded with "Meet me at your best behaviour" line with the ending telling audiences that everything must come to an end, which Bella try to avoid in the novel. The song for me is suitable for the first soundtrack since only bits of the plot were translated into lyrics. It's like an intro to Twilight franchise, not previewing more on the next installment of the series.

Overall not the single I would expect from these guys. My expectations were higher and I really wanted them to beat Paramore's Decode. But they have failed. The album will debut on the top of the charts everywhere but not because of this song, it's because the huge fan base that Twilight have. If they want the world to notice them, they could mix their writing ability with something people more familiar with, that is stick to the storyline.

Know what it means? Guess again...

Title: 3
Artist: Britney Spears
Format: Single (from album The Singles Collection)
Genre: Electropop
Origin: America
Language (s): English
Rating: 8/10





It's almost a year since Circus hits record stores worldwide and Britney's back with new single which easily titled 3. The world premiere for this single was on 29th September by radio Z100 in New York and it's a track that your mother never want you to listen, let alone memorize. It may sound safe and funky but this is where it gets naughty.

It is taken from Britney's second greatest hits package titled The Singles Collection which hit stores on 24th November this year. 3 is purposely titled and it's about having a threesome. Get it? The lyrics shouted sex and positions all over but I didn't notice it until the third spin. It was shocking. But come to think of it, sex do sells. I bought it, but what about the song as a single? It will immediately reminded you of Womanizer which released a year ago. The electro sounds plus the catching hooks will take you back in time. Messy arrangements is a bit of let down and the lyrics make me feel guilty after a few spin. But overall this song is strong enough as a single and will pick-up airplay in no time, if it doesn't encounter any censorship problem.

So Malaysia, can you handle 3?

Smooth like honey...

Title: Your Songs
Artist: Harry Connick, Jr.
Format: Album
Genre: Jazz, big band, vocal, traditional pop
Origin: America
Language (s): English, Spanish
Rating: 7/10
Standout tracks: Smile, Mona Lisa, The Way You Look Tonight, Your Song


This album was released on vinyl LP, which infuriates me at first. I don't have a turntable, plus the LP only released in America. Call it unfair and biased but finally it's here on CD. It's almost no regret for me to wait for this album to hit our shores. It's near perfect and pure music pleasure to my ears.

Jazz always about covers and this album is no exception. Harry's version of most of the songs are well composed and brilliantly differ from the original materials. I'm a bit skeptical with the selection of songs which covers some of the contemporary pop songs instead oldies tunes like Michael Bublé. The comparison is always there in my head. I think some of the tunes are missing their original drama and doesn't display much personality. Some tracks should be done with more big band like Your Song which should be uplifting like the original by Elton John.

Despite of that, the record parades very much smooth jazz tunes and believe me it will sink your heart in the sea of easy listening. For music fanatic like me probably prefer something more original but I think it will done enough for most ears.

If only I could get this album on vinyl...

Close, but no cigar...

Title: Celebration
Artist: Madonna
Format: Album
Genre: Pop, dance, urban, R&B
Origin: America
Language (s): English, Spanish
Rating: 8/10
Standout tracks: Hell, impossible!!



Being a fan doesn't make me excited about this third greatest hits package by Madonna. Honestly growing up with her around makes our world more controversial and provocative than ever. Her music was never a breath of fresh air but she makes it more interesting but causing a lot of commotion with every album. She mixed sex and religion during her Like A Prayer era and sex entirely during Erotica period. But after 25 years in music business, does one compilation says it all? Not quite.

I got the two-disc deluxe edition instead of one CD edition and it was the ride I've been waiting for. The opener Hung Up was enough to make me wanting for more. The list was not in chronological order and it's a bummer because this is when listeners can listen when Madonna really serious (True Blue, Ray Of Light), when she's naughty (Music, Like A Virgin) and where her big mouth was too far (American Life). It's a no-brainer since Madge is never predictable, so this compilation just mixed all the hits together and let audience waiting with eagerness.

Some hits are missing and I wish some would be included (Nothing Really Matters, Deeper & Deeper etc). New tracks Celebration and Revolver is not really great and kinda weak. Celebration is upbeat track and no surprise it's huge in clubs everywhere but doesn't reflect Madge's next incarnation. Instead of moving forward she stay safe which kinda unorthodox for Madonna. Madonna always evolves and never play it safe. I guess American Life thought her something then. Revolver is a over-repeated and not even be considered the next single off this record.

A great compilation ruined by extra tracks that should have been better. It's never long enough for me to stop the CD player if it's Madonna but this record is not the best Madonna compilation. Not perfect, but I applauded the effort.